Bottom lifting and equalizing mechanism for road graders



Sept. 1, 1925. 1,551,629

v F. E. ARNDT BOTTOM LIFT,ING AND EQUALIZING MECHANISM FOR ROAD GRADERS Filed Dec. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 I\ I i lave/7&2" o fiwvwzfwww A TTORNEY Sept. 1, 1925.

F, E. ARNDT BOTTOM LIEFTING AND EQUALIZING MECHANISM FOR ROAD GRADERS Filed Dec. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

UNITED fSTATES- PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN E A RNDTQOF GALION, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GALION IRON WORKS 8a MFG. 00., OF GALIO'N, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

BOTTOM LIFTINQ AND EQUALTZING MECHANISM FOR ROAD GBADERS.

Application filed December '23, 1924. Serial No. 757,677.

To ail cvhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKIZIN E.JXRNDT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Galion, in the county of Crawford and ,State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottom Lifting and Equalizing Mechanisms for Road Graders, of which the following is a specification.

and particularly to the heavy road graders of that character wherein a circle is supported upon draw bars and carries the mold board or scraping blade, there being 5 meanswhereby the scraper with the draw bars may be raised or lowered so as to reguheavy that considerable power must be expendedby the operator in order to lift these parts and adjust them.

,, The general object of the present inven-- tion is to provide means which will assist in the lifting of 'these parts and which will increase the speed and ease of operation.

A further object is toprovide means for equalizing the lift on machines of this char- I acter so that the lifting arm will operate just as'easily and evenly either in its up or down posltion'or in an intermediate position. i

A still fm'ther object is to provide in this connection longitudinally extending shafts having lifting arms which are operatively connected to the grader bottom, provide a manually operable means disposed at the operators station. for rotating either one of said shafts in a direction to cause the vide 'in connection with these machines means whereby the pull on the arms is equalized so that the This invention relates to road graders,

The draft bars with the lifting or lowering of said arms, and propull *is just about as hard when the arm is up and the blade or mold board is raised as when the blade or mold board is down, and thus do away with the unequal pull which is incident to the use of an arm which moves from a depressed position to a raised position where the pull is excessive at first and then gradually reduced as the blade is raised or is very slight at first and then isgradually increased as the blade is lowered.

Another gbject is to provide a construction of the character last described where in the equalizer arms are connected by chains to coiled compression springs so that the coiled springs act to counterbalance and exert a lifting force upon the grader bottom. This construction is such that when the springs are at their greatest tension and, therefore, exerting the greatest force, the leverage exerted by the equalizer arms is the least and as the springs relax their tension the leverage exerted by the e ualizer arms is increased so that thus the li ting Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drnwings, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of a grading machine showforce exerted by the springs is substantlally equalized atall times.

ing in elevation the means whereby the\ blade or mold board is raised and lowered;

Figure 2.is a top plan view of the con struction shown in Figural;

Figure 3 is, a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; p j

Figure 4 is a sectional view through'the washer 35; j I

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of the U-bolt which, connects the chain to the washer}- Figure 6 is a perspectiveview of the washer with which the chain connect through the U-bolt;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary section on the same lines as Figure 3 but showing one of the eccentrics fully lowered.

Referring to these drawings, it wlll be seen that I have illustrated so much ofa road grader as is necessary for a proper illus ation of my invention, it being understoo that the grader comprises a support.

65 extending arm 24 and that the sector-shaped atively supported upon an arch, which in turn rests upon the front axle (not shown).

Connected to this front axle in a manner not necessary to describe in detail are draft bars 11 which are angular in cross section, which are operatively pivoted for vertical movement to the front arch, and extend rearward and operatively support the circle 12 to which the scraper blade 13 or mold board is operativelyattached. The rear ends of the arched frame bars 10 are extended downwardly and then horizontally, and these horizontal portions of these frame bars are supported upon a rear axle and support an operators station or platform on which the operator stands in steering the machine, oscillating the circle to oscillate the mold board or scraper blade, and raising or lowering the draft bars to thereby adjust the mold board toward or from theground.

As previously stated, the object of the present invention is to improve upon the means whereby the draft bars are raised or lowered to thus raise or lower the mold board. The draft bars, the circle and the mold board are relatively heavy and, thereforegpower operated means must be provided for vertically adjusting these members. To this end, I nfount upon each of the beams 10 in suitable bearing brackets 14 carried thereby the longitudinally extending shafts 15. Each of these shafts at its rear end is provided with a worm wheel disposed within a gear casing (not shown), and operating in connection with these worm wheels is a worm'shaft 17 having Worms engaging the Worm gears 16 within the housings or casings and provided with a hand wheel 18. Thus it will be seen that as the hand wheel is rotated in one direction one direction or the other.

or the other, the shafts 15 will be rotated in Each shaft 15 is supported in bearing brackets 14, as previously stated, these bearing brackets being connected by means of a transverse tie bar 19. Each shaft 15 carries at its forward extremity a laterally projecting arm 20. This arm, as illustrated in Figure 3, is slightly curved and is keyed upon the shaft 15, and

this arm is operatively connected by links .21 to the draft bars and thus to the circle, as usual in machines of this character.

So far I have described a construction which is commonly found on machines of this general character. Mounted upon each of the shafts 1.5 is an approximately sector shaped member 22 which, as illustrated, is skeletonic in formand provided with a groove 23 in its edge face. This member constitutes a weight equalizer, and it will be seen that the member comprises a radially portion of the member starts from a point relatively adjacent the center of motion of the member extends out tangentially to a circle concentric to the center of motion, as at 25, and then extends at an angle, this portion 26 being in turn tangential to a circle concentric to the center of motlon, and the extends approximately concentrically, as at 27, to said center of motionand joins the extremity of the arm.

livotally connected or shackled to the eye Z in the extremity of the arm 24 is a chain 28 or other flexible element, which chain extends through the center of a coiled compression spring 29, the extremity of the chain being connected by means of a U-bolt 30 to a-disk 31. This disk or U-bolt washer 31 is formed with apertures 32 for the passage of the U-bolt 30 and also with apertures 33 for the passage of the arms 'of a relatively long U-shaped yoke 34. The opposite end of the spring bears against a washer or disk 35 having a central hub 36 around which the extremity of the spring fits, this washer 35 being ape rtured, as at 37, for the passage of the arms of the yoke 34. The ex-- in Figure 2, then extends laterally and out- "wardly at an inclination, and then again straight outward laterally, the extremities of this brace being upwardly curved, as at 41, and notched, as at 42, to receive the bight I of the U-shaped yoke 34. This brace 40 is riveted or otherwise connected to brackets 43 whlch are in turn, iveted or otherwise connected to the longiudinally extending beams 10, as illustrate in Figure 2, so that the brace not only connects these. beams and acts as a brace therefor but-also is fully supported-by these brackets 43 from any lateral movement under the strain of the springs.

It will be seen that this brace 40 resists, therefore, movement of both of the yokes 34 and holds these yokes against any moyement laterally with. relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine. It will likewise be seen that when the shafts 15 are oscillated to depress the arms 20 that the sectors'haped members 22 will also be moved outward and downward in the same manner that the arms 20 are and that this'will draw upon the chains 28, causing the compression of the springs 29. When, however, the shafts 15 are rotated in a reverse direction to raise thearms 20, the sector-shaped mem-' bers 22 will also be raised and the springs 29 will assist in raising these members 22 and, therefore, assist in rotating the shaft 15 and raising the arms 20 with the weight of the circle and draw bars attached thereto. It will be understood of course, that the arms '20 are disposed'approximatelyin the same-plane as the arms 14.

It is to be particularly noted that when the arms 24 are depressed that the springs are the most compressed and, therefore,

exert their greatest power, but that at this time the point of application of-this power of the springsis disposed relatively close to the pivotal center or axis of .the sectorshaped members 22. When the arms 24 are in a horizontal position-the point of application of-the power of the springs is at the point X and thus', though the springs have relaxed in their tension,', the leverage. has increased, that when the arms 24 have moved upward a few degrees the point of application is at the point Y" and still further increased, which compensates for the 1ncreasing slackness of the springs, and that when the arm 24 is moving toward its vertical poso that at all pointsthe lifting force exerted wheel may be operated 'very read1ly in by the 5 rings is approximately equalized. It will be seen the I have provided a construction which ualizes at all times the weight of the parts to be liftedso that there is no sudden lifting and then a very great strainon the mechanism, but that the lift isgradual and that as the work to be done increases, the action of thespring increases. With the'ordinary tractor grader it takes considerable effort to lift the blade and its attached parts, but with this spring lift and evener or equalizer the liftin hand either direction at increased speed and with ported member.

much' greater ease.- -In effect the lifting "strain is just about the same when the lifting arm 20 is up and the blade is raised as when it is down.- Thus the raising or lowering device operates just about as easily and evenly either up, down or in an intermediate position. v

I claim:-' 1 i 1. The combination with a su porting frame, a member supported below t e frame for vertical movement, means on the supporting frame for vertically shiftin the supported member, of means for resisting wardly curved face eccentric to the center the last named means including springs mounted upon the supporting frame and operatively connected to the supported member and exerting a lifting force thereon, and means for equalizing the strain on the lifting means in all positions of the sup- 2. The combination with a supporting ,5. The i cbmbinatio i i I 1 frame forvertical movement, means on the supporting frame for vertically shifting the supported member, of means for resistin the downward movement of the supporte member including springs mounted upon the supporting frame and operatively con/ nected to the supported member and exerting lifting force thereon, and means for equalizing the lifting force exerted by springs 'in all positions of the supported member.

3. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame, means on the supporting frame'for vertically shifting the supported member including arms mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane, connections between the arms and the supported member, of counterbalancing springs operatively engaged with the arms and urging them in a direction to lift the supported member, and means automatically increasing leverage applied to,

the member to be lifted as the springs relax their tension.

' 4.The combination with a supporting frame, amember supported below the frame, means on the supporting frame for vertically shifting the supported member including arms mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane, connections between the arms and the supported member, of spaced springs operatively supported at one end upon thesupporting frame, flexible connec-- tion en aged at one end with said springsv and at t e other engaged with the supported member, and means over which said flexible connections pass oscillatably mounted for coincidentxoscillation with said arms and acting to equalize the lifting force exerted by the springs all positions of the arms.

frame, a member supported below the frame,

I th a supporting means on the supporting frame for verticall shifting the supported member inclu ing arms mounted for oscillation in a. vertical plane, connections between the arms and the supported member, of spaced springs operatively suppprted' at one end. upon the support ng frame, flexible connections engaged at one end with said springs and at the other engaged with the supported member, and sector-shaped membersover which the connections pass, said sector-shaped members, each having an outof movementof the sector-shaped member, one end of the eccentric face being disposed adjacent the axis. of oscillation of the mem; her and the other remote from said axis of oscillation whereby to vary the distance between the flexible connection and the center of motion'of the eccentric member to thus shift thepointof application of each spring from the center as the springs decrease in tension to thereby substantially cqualizethe strain upon the springs in all positions of the supported member.

6. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame, means on the supporting frame for vertically shifting the supported member including parallel shafts mounted for oscilla-' nections being operatively connected to thefree end of the spring, the eccentric members being so arranged with relation to the arms that the springs will be put under tension upon a downward movement of, the

' arms and eccentric members, to lower the supported member and be decreased in tension upon an upward movement of the arms and, eccentric members.

7. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame, means on the supporting frame for vertically shifting the supported member including shafts having radially projecting arms operatively connected to the supported member, equalizing members mounted upon and rotatable with the shafts, each of said equalizing members being formed to provide an approximately curved face extending from a point adjacent the axis of rotation of said shaft outward in'an approximate tangent and then extending outward angularly with relation to the first named portion but at a tangent with relation to a v circle concentric to the axis of the eccentric each edge face startingat a and then extending approximately concentric to said axis, acompression spring sup ported upon the frame at one end, and a connection attached to the extremity of said eccentric member extending parallel to the spring and being engaged with the free end thereof.

8. The combination with a wheeled supporting frame and a scraper operatively supported below the frame .for vertical movement, means on the supporting frame for vertically raising or lowering the scraper, means for assisting the vertical movement of the scraper including eccentric members oscillatably mounted upon the supporting frame, each having an edge face, oint adjacent the axis of the oscillatable member and extending outwardly to a point remote therefrom, compression springs mounted upon the supporting frame and held from movement at one end, and flexible connections engaging the end of the eccentric element remote from the axis thereof and operatively connected to the free ends of the springs.

9. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame for vertical movement, means on the supporting frame for vertically raising or.

lowering the supported member including longitudinally extendmg shafts an arm on eachshaft mounted for oscillation in a ver- "ing from the extremity of the eccentric member, through said spring, and operatively engaged with the free end thereof.

10. Thekcombination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame for vertical movement, means on the supporting frame for vertically raisingor lowering the supported member including longitudinally extending shafts, an arm on each shaft mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane with the shaft, connections between the arms and the supportedmember, eccentric members mounted upon the shafts and each having an edge face extending in an approximate curve from apoint adjacent the axis of the shaft to a point remote therefrom, coiled compression springs disposed transversely of the supporting frame and each associated with one of the cccentric members, a U-shaped yoke operatively engaged at its closed end with the supporting frame and extending through said spring, a disk with which the end of the yoke is engaged and against which that end of the spring adjacent the eccentric member is abutted, a flexible connection attached to the'extremity of the eccentric forward ends of the sup orting beamsand a scraper mounted upon t e circle, of means for raising or lowering the draft bars, circle and blade including longitudinally extend} ing shafts operatively supported uponthe supporting beams, manually operable means for rotating said shaft-s, arms mounted upon the shafts, operative connections between said arms and the draft bars and circle, eccentric members also mounted upon the shafts, each of said eccentric members having a grooved peripheral face, the face extending in an approximate curve from a point adjacent the axis of the shaft to a point remote therefrom, a pair of transversely disposed coiled compression springs, one for'each of said eccentric members, a yoke operatively supported at one end upon the supporting frame and operatively engaging that end of the corresponding spring adjacent the eccentric, a flexible connection connected to the extremity of the eccentric member and adapted to bear against the curved face thereof as the eccentric member is moved in a direction to lower the circle and draft bars, and a flexible connecti'on extending through the spring and engaged with the free end of the spring.

12. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame,

means on the supporting frame for verti-v cally shifting the supported member including arms mounted for oscillation in a vertical lane, connections between the arms and t e sup rted member, of means engaged with t e arms and yieldingly urging them in a direction to lift the supported I member and means for equalizing the pull b 11 al exerted y said elastic means 1 of the supported member.

13. The combination with a supporting frame, of a member supported. below the positions frame, means on the supporting frame for I vertically. shifting the supported member including arms mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane, connections between the arms and the supported member, of means adapted to elastically urge the arms in a direction to lift the supported member, operative connections between the arms and the supported member, sector-shaped members mounted for movement coincident with tween the flexible connection and the center of motion of the eccentric member to thus substantially equalize the pull exerted by the s rings in all positions of the supported mem er.

14. The combination with a supporting frame, a member supported below the frame, means on the supporting frame for vertically shifting the supported member including arms mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane, and connections between the arms and the supported member, of means engaged with the arms and yieldingly urgin them in a direction to lift the supporte member, and means for equalizing the strain of said elastic'means in different positions of the supported member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

-- FRANKLIN E. ARNDT. 

